AC: Sorry it took some time. I had a double writer block and broke a little my motivation. Work also exhausted me and made me turn easily to videogame rather than writing when I relax. Ironically, it is there that I broke the writer block for the next story about Gustave in the Underworld and about Jacob in the Overworld. For Jacob, I found my first idea too much boring and I decided to use it to my average. For Gustave, I just didn't know a few events in the story. Jacob will be the worse for the first arc, but it will not be bad as I first imagine it.
I've done it.
Chapter 19: Explanation and a hint of friendship
"Wait...You're saying that Mudeenu isn't responsible for your...run away?" Asked Shimmark unsure about the situation anymore.
"Yeah...Why are you thinking of that?" Asked Itachi.
Vinta explained the situation that leaded to that: Mudeenu last words to him before he ran away from the castle until he reached his guess from the drawing he made. Itachi listened to that and he then looked at Mudeenu apolitically. Mudeenu was surprise by that look and he said nothing.
"You took it all wrong...I...I didn't want to cause Mudeenu so much trouble and pain because of...a mistake on getting what I said. I didn't care about what he said. I didn't mind. I cause him trouble and he replied that way because I made him angry. I was troubled for a while and what Mudeenu said...made me realise something...I believed that I was trap in the castle. I...I felt like I was in a prison and I couldn't get out...It's been that way for a while, but Mudeenu made it crystal clear." Said Itachi.
"I don't know how you could have interpreted it that way." Said Mudeenu.
"I think I could easily interpret anything that way...Everyone...I have something to say. I should have say this sooner...Instead of just running away from here." Said Itachi.
"You can tell us this." Said Shimmark looking at him.
"Everyone...I should have told you that staying inside the castle made me feel like I was in prison. A place I couldn't get out and was in my way. I wasn't free and it was hurting me. I am a kid who likes to go out and just...feel free." Said Itachi. The creatures looked at him and they listened to him. They knew he is opening his heart. "You see...Back in my world...My family always wanted me to do what they want. They putted me at school and forced me to do anything they felt good for me and...Forget what I want. I'm not someone who plays the good kid who listened to anyone...I'm not someone who likes anything academic...I also hate school and lots of learning stuff...It is why I had trouble on learning anything about your writings...I just don't have any motivation. When I was 10 years old...It is then that I started to rebel against what my parents want and focused on what I want. It is then that I made friends with four others: Jacob, Gustave, Cassandra and Alena. We are very different, but we are best friends. I then do what I want to do. It's not to follow a path for a good paid job, but to follow what I likes. That might surprise you, but I like cuisine." The looked at him surprise. No one could have guessed that. "I like cooking and I learn a lot in my world. It's a big secret and only my four friends and the cooking class knows. In the end, my parents said that I'm a disappointment and that I bring shame to them. I just don't f****** care anymore." Said Itachi. "Not at all. I felt good with my friends and I became very distant from my parents...Literally more now." Said Itachi. "Well...That's a little part of history in my life. I'm sorry I haven't said a lot about me."
"Cooking...With your attitude?" Asked Mudeenu surprise. He wasn't that angry at him anymore. The relationship with his parents was and remained bad. They were figures of authority that stood in his way and...Maybe he was seen that way too.
"Yeah. Even I'm surprise when I try it and I loved it." Said Itachi with a small smile.
"You could have told us and we would have found something." Said Shimmark.
"Yeah. We could have shown you some of our cooking." Said Vinta.
"I taste it and I can say do not follow their step. They are so bad that we force them not to cook anything or bring the food their made in mission." Said Ario with a grin.
"What are you saying there?" Asked Shimmark.
"...You are both legend in history of bad cooking. Even worse than your mother." Said Ario with a bigger grin now.
"Take that back!" Shouted the two brothers.
"Your cuisine is...unique." Said Mudeenu. He meant really bad.
"Shimmark...Vinta...The truth have spoken." Said Itachi before laughing lightly. "Even so...It is better when made with the heart. I'm...so glad you came for me you two. I am surprise by seeing Mudeenu here and...Who are you?"
"The name is Ario. I'm friend of your two brothers." Said Ario.
"You might always prank me...But I felt guilty over the fact you ran away...And it was for...Not for nothing...I mean...I mentally beat myself for nothing...Calling me a monster to do that to you and the fact that I might kill you...Kill a child." Said Mudeenu.
"...I guess I had to say I'm sorry to you Mudeenu. You're kinder than you look." Said Itachi.
"I'll accept it." Said Mudeenu. He hoped pranks will be over...But the next sentence said something else.
"But I will never stop." Said Itachi with a grin.
Mudeenu had a depressed and hopeless look for a second before recomposing himself.
"I will not hesitate to reprimand you." Said Mudeenu.
"In a perfect world you will continue." Said Itachi with a smile.
"We should return to the castle now." Said Ario.
"You have a lot to explain to my mother." Said Mudeenu. He then kicked the sand nervously about what he was about to say. "She might didn't show it to anyone...But she is worry sick for you. She saw you as...another son."
"I'm glad she sees me that way." Said Itachi. "I'm sorry for being so stupid...But I think I know here...It is a home too...And I have a big family who care for me." He added with a smile. "A big...weird lizard family...But who cares."
The others smiled at him except Mudeenu and Ario. Although, Mudeenu gave a small nod.
"Thank you for everything. You made me realise I have done a big mistake. I hope you'll come to visit me...Or I'll come to you." Said Itachi to Fivarth and Gnarlus who said nothing.
They said nothing during all this time, it wasn't their conversation and leaved it to those who matters.
"You're welcome." They said.
"If I have an official permission. We will come." Said Fivarth.
"Yeah. It is the first time we see someone unique as you." Said Gnarlus.
The group started to walk away and wave good-bye. The conjurer and the Warpainter also waved good-bye. Fivarth looked at Vinta and he said nothing.
"What is it?" Asked Gnarlus.
"Vinta...He has the power to see over reality like Conjurers. Somehow...He never became one." Said Fivarth.
"Yeah. He had the ability since birth compare to most of you. He could have been the best conjurer." Said Gnarlus.
"But fate wasn't made for him and...He had too much strong attachment to his brother to live in the desert, separated from everyone he loves. It would have torn him apart." Said Fivarth.
"Should you teach him one day?" Asked Gnarlus.
"No...He had his part...We have ours. His ability might be used...Another way than conjuring." Said Fivarth.
Al Mipedim castle
The rescue group were present in the throne room. They all knee in front of Iflar who was sitting on it with his mother behind him. He said nothing after Itachi explained the reason he ran away. He also told them his back story. Bastet listened the most intensely and she felt sad for him. She knew that she and Theb-Saar had been hard on Mudeenu and Iflar when they raised them, but it was because they were prince and must be raised that way. She wasn't really use to it since she wasn't a noble so she played a lot with them and bounded strongly with Iflar and Mudeenu after he lost his parents. After Itachi had finish, Iflar looked at Itachi.
"You ran away because you couldn't stand to stay in the castle anymore." Said Iflar. He resumed it fast.
"Yeah. I always hate to feel that way." Said Itachi. "I just never had the guts to tell anyone."
Iflar looked at him and he gave him a smile.
"You could have told us. I decided to let you in here for your safety because of the bracelet. I didn't want you to feel that way." Said Iflar. "You are also not like us...I'm sorry if I forgot that."
"...It's alright." Said Itachi. "Prince Iflar I mean. I think I also never realise this castle was my home in a way."
"..." Iflar said nothing.
"I'm also sorry for not seeing that. I also think it could be safe with Shimmark and Vinta with you. They are very fond of you." Said Bastet. She smiled at them.
"Maybe we shouldn't have let you feel imprison inside." Said Iflar. "I'm also glad you told a little about you. I'm surprise to hear that you love cooking. I didn't see that in you."
"I think I can show you a few things." Said Bastet.
Iflar and Mudeenu looked to the left and their tail moved on the ground and appeared nervous.
"I think I'll wait a little." Said Itachi who say the prince's reaction. He said it also in a nervous way.
Bastet looked at the two princes and saw their tail on the ground.
"Something to say?" She asked them.
"NOTHING!" They both screamed and raised their tail.
They didn't want to talk about it. When they were young, the learned to eat fast the food Bastet prepared sometimes. They ate so fast so they wouldn't taste it and they manage it. They also didn't want to tell her that she had no talent in cooking compare to her great talent in dancing and fighting.
"For the problem you face, I think you can get out of the castle time to time when we are warned about." Said Iflar. "You should always be accompanied by Shimmark or Vinta at least. Maybe you will come with us when we have to visit village during the royal travel in the desert."
"Really? Thank you!" Said Itachi with a smile.
"You are a friend of us." Said Iflar. "I think it will be interesting."
After this, the meeting with the royal prince was over. They continued talking until it was getting late. They walked outside the throne room.
"I think we shall return to our chamber now." Said Shimmark. "We have a big day today. I'm exhausted."
"Me too." Said Vinta. He yawned. "It was a journey with lot of emotion. We are so glad you are back. Promise us to never run away again."
"I won't." Said Itachi looking at them. "Not when it will bring pain to any of you."
The two brothers smiled at his words. They knew he was telling the true. They patted the head of Itachi. Itachi saw Mudeenu.
"I'll join you soon. I think I need to talk to the prince." Said Itachi.
Itachi walked at the direction of Mudeenu under the gaze of the two brothers.
"I want to apology once again Mudeenu." Said Itachi by the side of Mudeenu who looked at the young boy with his pink eyes. "I never thought Vinta will beat you that badly and anything of this would happen." Said Itachi guilty.
"Hum...I don't thought it either. I guess I was calling for a beating. It won't kill me. I forgive you for this." Said Mudeenu scratching his neck. "I'll be watching you. You will not prank me again."
"You bet it on?" Asked Itachi.
"Yeah." Said Mudeenu.
"Anyway...I have to sleep. I think I need to rest after such adventure." Said Itachi yawning.
He walked away and Mudeenu looked at him.
"Not a so bad kid in the end. He's going to prank me tomorrow...I just knew it." Said Mudeenu with a small smile. He then returned to his usual mood and walked away.
Itachi joined his two friends to the chamber and they all let themselves felt on their bed. The return gave them fatigue both emotionally and physically. They felt asleep pretty fast, but before that. Shimmark took Itachi and held him against his chest.
"I'm so glad you are back." Said Shimmark.
"...Me too." Said Itachi resting against his friend.
Vinta looked at them with a smile.
"You too Vinta. I miss you a lot." Said Itachi.
"We all miss each other's." Admitted Vinta with a happy voice.
They then fell asleep.
AC: This is the end of the misadventure of Itachi in the desert. Now...It is time to move on to the next one. Here's a sneak peak and you'll know which tribe pretty fast. The scene might be different once presented, beware about that.
He walked left and right fast again and again. He felt...Nervous about all of this. He felt a little and shame in him by being that way. He is a strong and brave warrior who fights best when victory is at his hands. He walked in front of a door where no one could enter. She was there with a healer.
"What are you so nervous about?" Asked a soldier.
"She is in there...Sick! I don't know what she has. She might die. It's been a while now and she loses interest in fighting and other things. She gets exhausted and eat more that she usually does. She even threw me out of the tower when I bugged her too much because I wanted to mate...Almost lost my other horn." He replied between shouting and worried.
"You should calm down. It's nothing grave. She's a tough one." Said the soldier.
"Which ways?" Asked the worry one with his yellow eyes shining.
"In battlefield!" Replied the soldier fast.
The door opened and the healer came out.
"How is she?" Asked the warrior.
"You're mate? She is fine. She will remain that way for around a solan." Said the healer.
"A solan...Why? Can't you heal her with mugic?" Asked the warrior.
"Mugic won't heal something natural and normal." Said the healer.
The soldier by the side of the worried one got it.
"Congratulation." He said.
The worried one turned at his direction slowly and flame came around his armor.
"Congratulation for her sickness!" He shouted. "THAT'S WHAT YOU MEANT?! I'LL DESTROY YOU!"
"NONONO! YOU DON'T GET IT!" Shouted the soldier backing away.
"THEN WHAT ARE YOU MEANING?!" Screamed the threatening on.
"Atrapol...You mate is pregnant." Said the soldier.
The fire died down fast around the body of Atrapol.
"Wh...Pregnant...That means...that...Me...A father?" Said Atrapol.
"Yes." Said the soldier.
Atrapol remained silence when footsteps are heard. The healer and the soldier turned around. Atrapol didn't move, trying to get over the news.
"Already back Lord Van Bloot?" Said the soldier bowing.
"Yes. I brought an important guest. It seems like he had something special that interested Chaor. I will use it against him." Said Van Bloot. "What's the matter with Atrapol?"
"He just learned that he will have a child in a solan." Said the healer. "He hasn't digested it yet."
Lord Van Bloot pushed Atrapol and he felt on the ground without changing his body position as if he was a statue.
"..." Van Bloot said nothing. "I leave this in your hands."
He then walked away.
"When he's better, he will guard our guest." Said Lord Van Bloot.
Here's the end of the sneak peak. It will be about the Underworlder and it will be a long one with a few actions scene and finally, battle you might be waiting for long.